The Man Who Sold His Skin

Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Year Released: 2020
Rating: 2.0

After saying some dumb stuff about "revolution" - in his less-than-tolerant Syria - and getting in trouble with the law, Sam Ali (Yahya Mahayni) has to leave the love of his life (Dea Liane) and flee to Lebanon where he meets famed artist Jeffrey Godefroy (Koen De Bouw) who offers to make Sam "living art" by tattooing a Schengen Visa on his back (this is based on the work of Wim Delvoye, who even has a brief speaking role).  To its credit, it brings up a lot of modern issues that require serious discussion, like commodity fetishism and the art world, difficulties facing political refugees, human trafficking and terrorism, but it doesn't have a whole lot to say about them or contribute to the conversation, so it's really just a collection of talking points.  The ending is entirely too pat - look at all the things science can do, no? - but I'm also a sucker for a happy ending: after all they've been through, its leads deserve it.